The federal congress was not ignorant of or indifferent to this state of affairs in the far west, and it probably would, eventually, have moved in the matter when less distracted by other troubles, though how fatal too long delay might have been is a matter for guessing. However, it is a quite safe historical assumption that the embryo nation was fortunate in having on the endangered territory a man of initiative, statesmanship, military ability and tremendous resolution. This person was George Rogers Clark, a Virginian by birth, but a Kentuckian by adoption, who, by his strength of character, had become a leader in the new settlements, and who knew the conditions much more intimately than did the government in the east. The elements that come into relief when we examine his famous campaign and its successful outcome are this unerring, fundamental comprehension of condition and men, a grim will that no obstacle could daunt and a sagacity that gave greatness to his leadership; and for this combination of qualities five great commonwealths of subsequent days owe him perpetual gratitude.